By Lynne Passfield of the Bath Croquet Club
Croquet is now one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and this year Bath Croquet Club will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary since reforming in 1976. With almost 100 playing members, four lawns and a view of the Abbey as a backdrop, the club acts as a special hub, hosts national and regional tournaments and frequently supports local Bath events such as the Jane Austen festival and Dorothy House Hospice.
Croquet has traditionally been associated with older members of the Bath community with many members starting to play croquet when sports such as tennis, golf , rugby etc. become too demanding. Increasingly though, younger people are also starting to play with some of the younger players competing at an International level. Recently some of the Bath C.C. Academy members played in the National schools’ and clubs’ tournament at Nottingham.
There are several forms of croquet so that although croquet does not involve the physical demands of some sports the more tactical formats have been compared to snooker or chess on grass. There are opportunities to play in teams both regionally and nationally and there are various internal competitions.
At Bath C.C. members can play either socially at one of our friendly club sessions or can book the lawns for personal use either way there is a genuinely friendly atmosphere around the lawns. The club is open all year round (weather permitting) although the competitive season runs from 1st. April to 31st. October.
Bath Croquet Club is always looking to welcome new members and would love to see you at one of the Club Open Days (in support of Dorothy House) on the Rec next to Bath Rugby Ground (just off William Street);
Friday 17th April – 5 pm – 7pm
Saturday 18th April – 10am – 12 noon
Wednesday 22nd April – 10am – 12 noon
Interested in having a go – contact petervelda@btinternet.com, call Peter on 01225 867 850 or visit our website at www.bathcroquet.com.
The editor adds: The sport grew out of the game of Pall-Mall – popular in the 18th century but with the advent of lawn mowers sports such as lawn tennis grew. Croquet in England was well established by the second half of the 19th century so the sport nationally is around 160 years old.
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